The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are recommending a pause in the use of Ixchiq® (Chikungunya Vaccine, Live) in individuals 60 years of age and older while the Agencies investigate postmarketing reports of serious adverse events, including neurologic and cardiac events, in individuals who have received the vaccine.

As of May 7, 2025, 17 serious adverse events, including two that resulted in death, have been reported in individuals 62 through 89 years of age who received Ixchiq during postmarketing use globally. Six of these reports have been from the United States (U.S.). Most U.S. and foreign serious adverse events that have been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), co-managed by FDA and CDC, have been in individuals with underlying chronic medical conditions. Adverse events reported to VAERS may not be causally related to vaccination. Approximately 80’000 doses of Ixchiq® have been distributed globally.

More details, see LINK. For the statement of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) see EpiNews as of 8 May 2025.

Since late 2023, Morocco has faced a widespread measles outbreak that began in the Souss Massa region and gradually spread nationwide. Between 1 October 2023 and 13 April 2025, over 25’000 suspected cases were reported across all 12 regions, including 13’706 confirmed cases and 184 deaths. During the week ending 27 April 2025, Morocco reported 995 suspected measles cases, representing an incidence rate of 2.7 per 100,000 population.

Although the outbreak peaked in late January 2025, a steady decline in cases has been observed over the past ten weeks.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a significant increase in malaria cases and fatalities. Compared to the previous year, cases have surged by 180%, from 21’309 in 2024 to 59’647 during the same period in 2025.

The outbreak is largely attributed to a combination of environmental and behavioral factors. Increased rainfall, humidity and temperatures have created favorable conditions for mosquito breeding. At the same time, more people are engaging in outdoor activities such as artisanal mining and farming, and cross-border trading.

Since 2023, Brazil has experienced a notable rise in hepatitis A cases among adults, prompting the Ministry of Health to broaden vaccine access. While the disease was traditionally more common in children lacking proper sanitation, recent trends show a shift toward adult infections, with sexual transmission - especially through anal sex - emerging as a key mode of contagion. In 2023, about 69.5% of cases occurred in adult men.

The Czech Republic is experiencing a growing surge in hepatitis A cases, with no signs of slowing. In the first four months of 2025 alone, 450 infections and 6 deaths have been reported—compared to 636 cases and 2 deaths during all of 2024.

Health officials warn the true number of infections is likely much higher, given the challenges in tracking the virus spread. The highest number of hepatitis A cases in 2025 have been reported in Prague, the surrounding Central Bohemian region, and the Moravia-Silesian region, which borders Poland and Slovakia. According to officials, the virus is spreading primarily among children, teenagers, young adults, and individuals engaged in "risky behavior." In Prague, nearly one in three patients are homeless, with many also struggling with drug use.

The year 2025 is considered a Holy Jubilee year. It will take place in Rome, Italy, and the Vatican City State, in 2025. Also known as a Holy Year, the Jubilee is one of the Catholic Church’s major global events, expected to draw more than 30 million visitors, spread out across the year, until its end on 6 January 2026. Traditionally held every 25 years, it is a period during which pilgrims travel to Rome and the Vatican and visit certain designated churches and attend religious services.

Le virus du Chikungunya se propage à nouveau dans le sud-ouest de l'océan Indien.

Mayotte: au 2 mai 2025, un total de 89 cas de Chikungunya ont été signalés à Mayotte depuis le début de l’année, dont 28 cas acquis localement. La dernière épidémie de Chikungunya remonte à 2006.

Maurice a signalé au moins 17 cas.

La Réunion: au 30 avril 2025, plus de 44 000 cas confirmés de chikungunya (dont 9 décès) ont été recensés sur l'île depuis début 2025. L'épidémie se poursuit et s'étend à l'ensemble de la Réunion.

Selon les médias, un habitant de 35 ans d'Oulianovsk, en Russie, est décédé des suites de complications liées au paludisme après un voyage à Zanzibar en février 2025. Initialement traité pour une grippe, il a ensuite été diagnostiqué avec le paludisme à l'hôpital, mais a succombé malgré les soins prodigués. Ni lui ni sa femme enceinte n'avaient pris le traitement antipaludique préventif recommandé.

Le paludisme est endémique à Zanzibar et en Tanzanie continentale, avec des taux d'incidence en hausse ces dernières années.

Le 28 avril 2025, le ministre de la Santé publique de l'Équateur a signalé trois cas confirmés de fièvre jaune, un quatrième étant actuellement investigué. Le premier cas a été détecté dans la province de Zamora Chinchipe, située à l'extrémité sud-est du bassin amazonien.

Dans d'autres pays d'Amérique du Sud, on observe cette année une recrudescence des cas de fièvre jaune, voir EpiNews 1.5.2025. En réponse, l'Équateur a annoncé qu'à compter du 12 mai 2025, les voyageurs entrant dans le pays devront présenter un certificat de vaccination contre la fièvre jaune. Cette exigence s'applique:

• aux voyageurs de nationalité péruvienne, colombienne, bolivienne ou brésilienne ou résidant dans ces pays;
• Les voyageurs de toute nationalité ou résidence ayant séjourné plus de 10 jours dans l'un de ces pays (Bolivie, Brésil, Colombie, Pérou) ou ayant transité par l'un de ces pays avant d'entrer en Équateur.